determine how consumption of dairy fat as cheese influences inflammation-phase 2

Conditions: Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity

Summary: phase 2 of this study involves determining how consumption of cheese compared with a non-dairy cheese substitute influences inflammation over a six hour period.

phase 2 is a randomized crossover study designed to determine how consumption of cheese compared with a non-dairy cheese substitute influences postprandial inflammation in participants who have 2 or more risk factors of metabolic syndrome or bmi ≥ 30. eligible participants will arrive to the western human nutrition research center (whnrc) at the university of california (uc) davis campus on the morning of each test day after a 10-12-hr overnight fast. upon arrival participants will fill out a questionnaire about their dietary and medication intakes and physical activity for the past 72 hours to ensure compliance. compliant participants' weight and blood pressure will be measured and a fasting blood draw will be taken before participants consume their test meal (cheese or non-dairy cheese substitute). participants will only consume this test meal and water freely for the duration of the test day. blood will be drawn serially at 1, 3 and 6 hours postprandially. participants will be tested on a second test day two weeks after the first test. on the second test day, participants' body composition and bone mineral density will be measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * age 18-65 years * two or more components of metabolic syndrome: central obesity (waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women); fasting blood triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dl; plasma hdl cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dl for men and less than 50 mg/dl for women); blood pressure greater than or equal to 130/85 mmhg; fasting glucose greater than or equal to 100 mg/dl or - bmi equal to or greater than 30 exclusion criteria: metabolic disorders: * bmi \> 40 * body weight more than 400 lbs. * any immune related diseases such as autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, * gastrointestinal disorders including crohn's disease, colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel disease, celiac, malabsorption syndrome * cancer * known presence of significant metabolic disease which could impact the results of the study (i.e. hepatic, renal disease) * type ii diabetes * use of over-the-counter anti-obesity agents (e.g. containing phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, and/or caffeine) within the last 12 weeks * use of corticoid steroids within the last 12 weeks * daily use of anti-inflammatory pain medication * self report of eating disorder * poor vein assessment determined by whnrc's phlebotomist dietary/supplements: * known allergy or intolerance to study food (lactose intolerance, dairy, wheat allergies) * vegetarian (defined as abstinence from consumption of eggs, dairy, poultry, beef and pork) * more than 1 serving of fish per week * more than 14 grams of fiber per 1000 kcal per day * less than 16:1 of total dietary omega 6: omega 3 ratio * more than 1% of daily energy as trans fats * initiation of anti-inflammatory supplemental fish, krill, flax, borage and primrose seed oils within the last 12 weeks * dietary supplements consisting of concentrated soy isoflavones, resveratrol, other polyphenols identified as modulators of inflammation medications * initiation of statin therapy within the last 12 weeks lifestyle * more than 10% weight loss or gain during the past 6 months * recent initiation (past 4 weeks) of exercise program * plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months * pregnancy or lactation * recent initiation or cessation of hormonal birth control or change in hormonal birth control regimen within the last 12 weeks * use of tobacco products * more than 2 standard alcoholic drinks per day.